The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the Church's sacrament for those who are sick and aging, and is a sacred moment when we pray for God's grace to strengthen someone who is suffering from any form of illness. “When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically ​

healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that may accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.” (USCCB, Catholic Catechism for Adults). Anyone who is facing a serious illness or operation is encouraged to request this Sacrament.

The Church teaches that the Anointing of the Sick is for the seriously ill and is not a Sacrament that is meant to be often received. Once received, it may be repeated if the sick person recovers after being anointed and then falls ill again, or if during the same illness, the person's condition becomes more serious. Some people think that the more often they receive the Sacrament, the more effective it will be. This is not the case.

There are three parts to the Rite:

First, there is a prayer asking God's help for the person who is sick.

Second, there is the laying on of hands by the priest, which is a sign of blessing and the invocation of the Holy Spirit to come upon the sick person.

Third, the anointing with the Oil of the Infirm.

How do I arrange to be anointed?

If you are hospitalized, please contact the chaplain’s office. They will arrange for the priest assigned to the hospital to visit. Good Shepherd Catholic Church serves Mount Vernon Hospital. All area hospitals have a chaplain assigned to meet the needs of hospitalized Catholics.

If you are at home or in a nursing home please call our Parish Office at 703-780-4055. The receptionist or after-hours answering service will contact a priest. (Good Shepherd parish serves these nursing homes: Mount Vernon Nursing Center, Sunrise Assisted Living and Spring Hills. Patients at Manor Care or Paul Springs, please call St. Louis Parish, 703-765-4421.)

Bringing The Eucharist to the Homebound or Nursing Home Residents

Our sick and homebound parishioners are important members of our family of faith. At Good Shepherd Catholic Parish, there is a specific Ministry to the Sick and Homebound. Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are trained by the Diocese and receive a commission by the parish to participate in this ministry. They read Holy Scripture and pray with the parishioner as they prepare to receive the Eucharist. EMHCs visit the hospital, the homebound, and at nursing homes.

HospitalWeekday visits are made to Mount Vernon Hospital (Monday – Friday). Patients who wish to receive Communion should inform the hospital chaplain. Patients who indicate Catholic on their admissions form will receive a visit. The Eucharistic Minister will ask if you wish to receive. There are occasions when you may be out of your room when the minister visits. The minister will visit you the following day.

Home and Nursing HomeHomebound and nursing home residents are visited on Sunday morning after the 9:00am and 10:30am Masses. If you, a loved one, or parishioner are unable to attend Mass and wish to receive the Eucharist, please contact the Parish Office at 703-780-4055 to request a visit. Requests should be made by 12:00 Noon on Thursday. This allows time for scheduling ministers. The minister will call homebound parishioners to ensure you are available for the visit.

A minister visits Spring Hills on Sunday. The Communion Service is at 10:15am in the Library. Residents are encouraged to participate in the Communion Service. Room visits are made to residents who are unable to attend the service. (Good Shepherd parish serves these nursing homes: Mount Vernon Nursing Center, Sunrise Assisted Living and Spring Hills. Patients at Manor Care or Paul Springs, please call St. Louis Parish, 703-765-4421.)